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Common Sense Tips for Used Car Buyers

Common Sense Tips for Used
Car Buyers

Get your
financing in order first whether it is cash from your savings or a loan from
your bank; that way you know exactly what price range you are able to afford.

What are
you looking for?

Decide which
vehicle features are “must haves”. Maybe color is negotiable, but a sun-roof is
not. Or you’ve gotta have 4 wheel drive, but leather seats are not necessary.
Everyone’s vehicle needs are different. If you have this decided before you start
shopping, you are more likely to be satisfied with your selection in the end
and stay within your budget.

Stop,
Look and Listen

Don’t be
rushed, you should get to thoroughly inspect the car inside and out.

Look
carefully for signs of wear, or repairs that might indicate the vehicle has had
problems or been in an accident and ask a lot of questions. Trust your gut if
the answers seem fishy.

For
example: If the odometer says 72,000 but all the upholstery is worn out and
there is a lot of rust, you may be looking at 172K not the 72K the owner is
claiming.

Or if the
exhaust seems loud and the seller brushes it off saying “Don’t worry about it.
That’s the way the kids like to drive ‘em now,” – walk away and keep looking.

What’s
it worth to you?

You can use
online services to check the selling price of similar vehicles. Kelly Blue
Book’s online service www.kbb.com lets you enter
specific data about the mileage and condition of the vehicle and provides you
with realistic values.

Call in
the Experts

No matter where you find your car, always ALWAYS have an
expert (a professional auto mechanic or other knowledgeable person) check the
vehicle before you buy it. The flaws the mechanic finds could save you from a lemon or at least
help you negotiate a better price.

Be
Patient!

You can
usually find the car that meets your needs at a price you are willing to pay if
you are patient and diligent in your search.